The Clinton County Commissioners took no action Tuesday morning on the proposed data center project near Frankfort, leaving the highly anticipated issue unresolved for at least another month.
Commission President Jordan Brewer was absent from the meeting — marking another session without his participation — and the remaining commissioners declined to make comments or take a vote on the proposal.
Commissioner Bert Weaver said he hopes the board can have “a serious discussion” on the project during its November meeting, emphasizing the need for all commissioners to be present before moving forward. Commissioner Kevin Myers said he continues to do his due diligence, gathering as much information as possible before making a decision. Mid November is the hoped upon time for serious discussion and action.
Local resident MaryLynn Peter addressed the commissioners during the public speaking portion. She was upset at the fact that residents showed up expecting data center discussion and this was the second time in two months where President Jordan Brewer wasn’t present. Weaver quipped back and said he doesn’t inform people on Facebook and that constituents should use the county’s website to see what is on the upcoming agendas and reiterated they are trying to gather all the information possible. Peter also stressed the need for the importance of knowing the end user of the data center. She compared it to a landlord not checking on a potential tenant prior to renting to them. Listen to the exchange between Weaver and Peter below:
Deb Pearson was also upset about Brewer not being in attendance and lack of communication. Listen to her plea below:
During the public comment portion, Katelyn Greeno addressed the commissioners, continuing her plight to meet individually with all three commissioners to go over and be made aware of what power they hold constitutionally. Both Weaver and Myers said they are willing to meet with her.
Rick Campbell with County Highway reported they did two studies in the county, ione in Forest and determined there was not a need for a four way stop at those intersections as requested by local residents. He said when they finish paving the county’s portion of Krug and Freeman, they will pave all the roads in Scircleville then south of the railroad tracks at Hillisburg and reported then, all the small cities in the county will then have freshly paved roads.
Commissioners reported a target date of October 20th to start moving office supplies and people to the new annex across the street. They also stressed they would hope to have the courthouse empty for renovation by the end of October.
Also approved was an $879-thousand dollar payment to Envoy and an additional $815 dollars increase in payment to “Two Men And A Truck” a moving company who is slated to help with moving to the annex. Commissioners also took the advice of Renee Crick, EMA Director to place the county under a burn ban until lifted by the commissioners. She stressed the city has been under one along with large portions of the state and she had spoke this morning with the National Weather Service who said we can’t expect much precipitation if any before next Tuesday. Crick noted the county has seen 17 fires over the first 7 days of this month.